Clambake plans fall comeback in Sebastian

SEBASTIAN - Organizers of the Sebastian Lagoon Clambake Festival are hoping to bring back the popular event to Riverview Park this November.

"That's what we're working toward," said Anjani Cirillo, president of the Sebastian Clambake Foundation.

Sebastian Mayor Andrea Coy was excited about the foundation's intention to bring the festival back.

"That's what I like to hear," said Coy Thursday.

Cirillo said foundation officials were encouraged by the positive reaction they received at last month's Sebastian Riverfront Fine Art and Music Festival. Members of the foundation, with the assistance of the Senior Resource Association, sold steamers and clam chowder during the event.

"On Sunday (of the art and music festival) people were gobbling up the clam chowder like crazy," said Cirillo.

She said everyone she saw asked her about the return of the clambake. Coy said she was hearing similar comments from both residents and out-of-town visitors.

"Overwhelmingly, folks want it back," she said.

Last year's event was cancelled after some in-depth questioning of former City Council member Lisanne Monier when she appeared before the council seeking support for the arts festival. Some organizers were also bothered by criticism of some aspects of the event, including the way its books were handled, by a couple of people.

Last October, foundation attorney Warren Dill made a presentation on the event's finances, including information that $190,000 was donated by the foundation to various civic and charitable organizations over the past five years. Some people, however, felt more detailed information should have been made available to the public.The Sebastian Clambake Foundation wants to bring the Sebastian Lagoon Clambake Festival back to Riverview Park the second weekend in November.

People interested in volunteering for the event can write to sebastianclambake@hotmail.org.